Yes, Queen! Rosario Dawson Reigns Over the Puerto Rican Day Parade

Vogue may earn compensation on these sales through affiliate programs.

See more photos of:

Expand

Photo: Paris Kain

See more photos of:

Expand

Photo: Paris Kain

See more photos of:

Expand

Photo: Paris Kain

See more photos of:

Expand

Photo: Paris Kain

See more photos of:

What’s more New York than the Puerto Rican Day Parade, the annual blowout that canvases Fifth Avenue in blue, red, and white flags to celebrate the rich, indigenous culture? Perhaps only selecting Lower East Side–bred actress and political activist Rosario Dawson as this year’s la reina of the ceremony. Climbing aboard the Capicu Culture float alongside New York Knicks player Carmelo Anthony, the Daredevil star partook in traditions she’s honored practically since birth—dancing to such hits as “Qué Bonita Bandera,” eating plenty of arroz con gandules, and taking in the elaborate floats. This year, though, Dawson added some new rituals into the mix, bringing along her mother and grandmother for a multigenerational affair, and shifting her focus to the LGBTQ members of the Puerto Rican community. And she did this all with her instinctive festive flair, slipping on a floral strapless dress from her Studio 189 line that recalled the tropical allure of the island.

Here, the actress fills us in on what it was like to be queen for a day and how she helped put a new face on the parade.

Old-School Style With a Newfound Role
It was a huge honor to be la reina of the parade this year, as a Puerto Rican woman and native New Yorker. I’ve been attending since I was in the womb! Whenever I’m in New York I’ve gone. It’s always been a family affair—watching from my dad’s shoulders as a kid and spending time with my mom, grandma, aunties, and uncles. We would go early, to be in the front, with our cooler full of food and drinks. I always loved all the colors, dancing, and music. It’s usually “Puerto Rico hot” on that day, so dressing coolly is a must—with wide-brimmed hats if we don’t luck out by standing in the shade of a tall building. Afterward we always—shockingly—want Spanish food! Pernil and arroz con gandules were the usual staples at the inevitable house party that followed the parade.

The Puerto Rican Day Parade Is a Multicultural and Multigenerational Affair
Years ago I had attended with singer Maxwell on a float, and we had such a blast waving and screaming and cheering and dancing for the sake of it. This year it felt like my duty to stand strong for la causa and represent my family, especially my grandmother Mima Isabel, who was from Fajardo, Puerto Rico. I know she was beaming from heaven. My mom came again this year, and my grandmother Pena, who had never been before, making it a multigenerational experience I’ll never forget. I wore a dress from my fashion line Studio 189, handmade in Ghana, where unfortunately they are suffering from a major flood. What a blessing to be able to pay tribute to so many people in so many disparate parts of the world in one moment.

Embracing the Whole Puerto Rican Community
I loved the Capicu Culture float that I was on, which boasted a mural of Oscar López Rivera, one of the longest serving political prisoners in history, whose release we are calling for. This year’s parade took on addressing the Puerto Rican debt crisis and made history honoring our LGBTQ brothers and sisters with inclusivity, on a day that will unfortunately be remembered for the hate crime that was the tragic mass shooting in Orlando. Championing each other with love was the most prideful thing that we could march for and give face to at this Puerto Rican Day Parade.